Tire size advice for 17" rims

[lcfool]

Hello,
This is my first post here and as you'll soon see, I'm kind of a mechanical idiot. In other words, I'm looking to do some fairly standard mods on my cruiser, but I'm mostly ignorant on this stuff as I'm just starting to get into it. Anyway, this is a '99 cruiser with 17" stock rims and I need to get new tires now. I wanted to wait until I got a 2" - 2.5" OME lift, but that's not going to happen for another 6 mo or so, and my current tires are getting dangerous.

I've searched the forum and have read several good discussions on this topic, but it seems that most people here have 16" rims (was this an option when you buy or did Toyota just change their standard rim size?). So I see a lot of recommendations for 16" wheels. I can do the math and convert the numbers to 17", but I'm not sure how that equates to the real world.

I think I want all terrain tires. This car is used as a grocery getter and will also be my means of transporation for taking us fishing, camping, etc all over the rockies in colorado, with an occasional trip to Moab, etc. I'm not into bouldering or any extreme stuff... I just don't like getting stuck when trying to get from point A to point B (and I do like the looks of larger tires).

It looks like the general concensus is that this is a good size 285/70R17 without a lift (I will be getting a lift soon I hope). But there are also suggestions that a 295 or 305 would work as well. However, I did a little searching, and I don't many choices available for a 17" rim. Anybody have any suggestions on a specific tire in these sizes?

Thanks!

 

[cary]

Are you sure you have stock rims? I don't believe that 17" wheels were an option on the 99 100 series. Make sure of this first because if they are not stock, you need to make sure their offset is the same or else you could have clearence problems.

 

[lcfool]

[cancelled] Tire size advice for 17" rims

Arrg. I'm not off to a good start here. My entire post is invalid because I just figured out I have 16" rims, not 17" and I see plenty of info in this forum for that. Don't know what I was thinking. Sorry about that.

 

[lcfool]

You are right Cary, you beat me to it. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[cary]

Look at the bright side, you get to do the oops on a an anomonous forum instead of getting into an arguement with the tire dealer about what size you have, or worse yet ordering them and having them show up.

 

[lcfool]

Yeah, no kidding. That would be a disaster!!

 

[BMWSTOY]

Let me know what you decide as I am in the same situation, well except I know I dont have 17's - just kidding.
I am driving myself crazy shopping for tires. I was sold on the 285/75/16, then I found out that my favorite tire - LTX-A/T comes in a 265/75/16 which is a nice 32" tire - just a touch narrower and a touch smaller sidewall.
After reading the "Meanest 100" thread, I think I am back to the 285.
Show pics if you get some tires soon! Perhaps we can talk discount tire into a deal for 2 sets?

 

[lcfool]

Haha... well, I would be embarrassed, but I pull that kind of crap on a daily basis, so I'm used it.
Anyway, yeah, I think I will be getting some tires pretty soon. I know squat about tires. All my knowledge is from what I've read in this forum and online reviews. Based on that, I'm thinking I have it narrowed down to the BFG AT or the Bridgestone Revo... in at least 285's. It seems the Revo has better reviews on overall handling, but I read in one of these threads that it has weak sidewalls... that get punctured easily. I don't like that idea at all. So I'm leaning toward BFG.

You're in Parker? I'm just down the road from you in cstle rock. Good idea about the bulk discount... i wonder if they'd do that. I was going to check Costco, Discount & Sears on prices. I know costco won't wheel & deal, but I can try Discount Tire.

 

[SWUtah]

Let me know what you decide as I am in the same situation, well except I know I dont have 17's - just kidding.
I am driving myself crazy shopping for tires. I was sold on the 285/75/16, then I found out that my favorite tire - LTX-A/T comes in a 265/75/16 which is a nice 32" tire - just a touch narrower and a touch smaller sidewall.
After reading the "Meanest 100" thread, I think I am back to the 285.
Show pics if you get some tires soon! Perhaps we can talk discount tire into a deal for 2 sets?

I had 265/75/16's on a 99 and liked them, it should make the LC a little quicker and it should provide better traction in the snow. Should also provide better mpg and it should be easier on your suspension. I personally think the 265/75/16's look better then the 285/75/16's. But looks are just a matter of opinion.

 

[BMWSTOY]

Thanks for the discussion SW. For the heck of it, I will talk out loud on the choices IMVHO: OEM is 31.3" dia, 11.1 width LTX-M/S. P tire, 2365lb rating
1. Michelin LTX-A/T 265. 31.9" tire so gas mileage will not be better??? I don't think - also 10.9" width - but better load ratings for camping.
2. Micheling LTX-M/S 285. I like the size of 32.8" with 11.3 width. But I have a slight hang up if I am going larger, but don't get the looks of a different off-road lookikng tire? Both of these are LT tires, but more important, stronger side walls and higher load ratinigs = better handling/cornering and suitable for camping on Colorado back country roads.
3. BFG - 285. I have never liked the wear of these, although I like the looks and Michelin now makes them and owns them - I am sure they are better.
4. GY Wrangler & Bridgestone Revo 285 - grouped together. The balance problems really scare me - I am not a fan of tires that cause problems. Also the wearing does not seem to be up to par - from the surveys I have read. After 10K, you do not have the same tire you purchased. Discount tire wants to sell the Wrangler and will extend the 30 day return remorse policy because of all the complaints - I don't think the kevlar sidewall is worth the headaches.
Why am I not looking directly at 275 OEM size - they are passenger rated tires with lousy load ratings. Plus since they fit and are only slightly more money, I can get larger tires $ = 1.$190/ea. 2. $194/ea. 3/4: $188 ea. 275: $165/ea

Anyone care to elaborate, I am all ears.

 

[SWUtah]

Thanks for the discussion SW. For the heck of it, I will talk out loud on the choices IMVHO: OEM is 31.3" dia, 11.1 width LTX-M/S. P tire, 2365lb rating
1. Michelin LTX-A/T 265. 31.9" tire so gas mileage will not be better??? I don't think - also 10.9" width - but better load ratings for camping.
2. Micheling LTX-M/S 285. I like the size of 32.8" with 11.3 width. But I have a slight hang up if I am going larger, but don't get the looks of a different off-road lookikng tire? Both of these are LT tires, but more important, stronger side walls and higher load ratinigs = better handling/cornering and suitable for camping on Colorado back country roads.
3. BFG - 285. I have never liked the wear of these, although I like the looks and Michelin now makes them and owns them - I am sure they are better.
4. GY Wrangler & Bridgestone Revo 285 - grouped together. The balance problems really scare me - I am not a fan of tires that cause problems. Also the wearing does not seem to be up to par - from the surveys I have read. After 10K, you do not have the same tire you purchased. Discount tire wants to sell the Wrangler and will extend the 30 day return remorse policy because of all the complaints - I don't think the kevlar sidewall is worth the headaches.
Why am I not looking directly at 275 OEM size - they are passenger rated tires with lousy load ratings. Plus since they fit and are only slightly more money, I can get larger tires $ = 1.$190/ea. 2. $194/ea. 3/4: $188 ea. 275: $165/ea

Anyone care to elaborate, I am all ears.

I had the BFG AT/KO's on my FZJ80 and after 60K miles they were only 1/2 worn. Also balanced great, I would not have a problem buying these again. I bought "American" brand BFG AT/KO look alikes (made in the Michelin factory) in the 265/75/16 LT rated size tires for my 99 LC. The reason I bought them was I was living in Kanab Utah at the time and the local dealer stated they were the best tires he had ever seen and that they were used by all the off road guys in that area. He told me if I ever had any problem with the tires as long as I owned them that he would replace for free. That included side wall punctures. Hard to turn down that deal, small town of 4000 people and the guy lives by his word. I did after I bought them notice that 1/3 the 4x4's I saw in the area had them. If you do get the LT rated tires make sure you inflate them to around 42 psi, about 10 psi more then the LC recommended 32 psi, or they will heat up on you and could cause a failure.

 

[cary]

RE: Michelin A/T vs. BFG A/T

I don't know how someone could have issues with the treadlife of the BFG A/T, they are increadibly durable. The Michelin A/T does last even longer (they are literally a 100k mile tire), but give up rain, snow and ice traction. It appears since Michelin aquired BFG, they have allowed the Michelin off road tires for consumer vehicles to languish and have focused on developing the BFG side.

Michelin is a class act, I called them to ask about the BFG A/T vs. Michelin debate. I also e-mailed them and their response was as follows:

Thank you for your email. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

You asked for a comparison of the LTX A/T and the All Terrain T/A KO in wet,
hydroplaning resistance and winter traction.

The LTX A/T normally gets longer mileage and a more comfortable ride. The
All Terrain T/A KO would give better wet traction and resistance to
hydroplaning and also better winter traction.

No new sizes of the LTX A/T tire have been announced.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

If your questions have not been answered to your satisfaction, please call
me at 1-800-847-3435 (toll-free) between 8:30AM and 6:00PM Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.


Sincerely,

Mike
Michelin North America
Consumer Relations

 

[cary]

I also forgot, if you are not overly concerned about snow/ice performance you may also want to look at the Yokohama A/T-S.

 

[SWUtah]

You might look at these, I'm thinking about them for my LX. They are really top rated and with a super high wear rating. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...partnum=86HR8HLALNZ&fromCompare1=yes&place=11

 

[BMWSTOY]

Also not a fan of Bridgestones, but again thanks SW.

Wow Cary, that was a great read from Michelin - I too have wrote them on several occasions and did not realize how much they are pushing the BFG. In the past the A/T has received mixed ratings, some get good even wear, but others have wear issues - I returned a set after 10K to Discount tire and they appoligized and gave me a deal on the LTX-A/T which was steller in the powder, sand, everywhere I took them. If Michelin tested the newer BFG against it, it must be great!
But that was a 31X10.5X15 which is a high-floatation tire. The BFG is still in the running for my set, but I will continue my quest because I feel that this is my last set of tires for many, many years - I am not going to put that many miles on my 100. I love the fact that it is an off-road tire and the 285 will look better if and when I install the OME lift. The noise factor still has me quessing a bit because the LC is soooo quiet.

 

[BMWSTOY]

OK LCFOOL, back to my very first tire quote from SAMS> wonder what Discount can do.

LT285/75R16 122R TAK BFG A/T: $183.04/ea, Tire plan is $9 - I know Discount can beat this: $768.16 pre-tax and disposal.

 

[cary]

OK LCFOOL, back to my very first tire quote from SAMS> wonder what Discount can do.

LT285/75R16 122R TAK BFG A/T: $183.04/ea, Tire plan is $9 - I know Discount can beat this: $768.16 pre-tax and disposal.

Just to note, there are two load ranges of the BFG A/T in the 285/75/16. Unless you have a very compelling reason otherwise, I would go with the D range tire (as opposed to the E). The quote you have is for the D (load rating 122). The E will ride rougher and does not have have the severe snow rating.

Note that Michelin/BFG has very restrictive pricing. That said, creative dealers can give you a credit for your old tires that still have tread. That is how I bought 4 new BFG A/T's 3 months ago for $600 out the door with tax, balancing, everything.

 

[BMWSTOY]

I did see that snow rating removed on the BFG site, but thank you very much for advising - not something I would want to miss. Colorado is getting another round of the white fluffy stuff right now.

 

[cary]

That is why I mention it. BFG's site does not show it well. Tire Rack's page goes through by size and load rating and shows which are NOT. Here is the link.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=BFGoodrich&model=All-Terrain+T/A+KO

 

[BMWSTOY]

I am ready.
I know someone who just purshased tires today and Discount Tire gave them $100 off for applying for a Discount credit card. Ya, who needs another card - but for a $100 I can handle it for a while and then cancell it.